Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

Hyperion offers both CDs, and downloads in a number of formats. The site is also available in several languages.

Please use the dropdown buttons to set your preferred options, or use the checkbox to accept the defaults.

Don't show me this message again

Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV147

Introduction

The Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento in C major (Z147) were, according to a note on the autograph, completed on 1 June 1727. They were written for the Corpus Christi procession on 12 June which, out of consideration for the Protestant public, did not take place out of doors but inside the Catholic court church. Two works by Heinichen were also performed at the same occasion. According to the Dresden tradition, Zelenka structured his litany into a series of single musical numbers in which he skilfully highlighted scoring and compo­sitional technique. The style of these eleven movements is predominantly old-fashioned, with contrapuntal craftsmanship interrupted by those occasional harmonic twists which create such individuality in Zelenka’s writing. Zelenka creates an overall framework by the reintroduction of the music of Kyrie II into the concluding Agnus Dei.

Recordings

A welcome return of a disc by one of the most immediately recognizable of all Baroque composers, the Czech maverick Jan Dismas Zelenka. Works that startle through sheer innovation are combined with pieces that tug at the heartstrings, ravishingly ...» More

O most high and venerable Sacrament,
have mercy on us.
O most holy of all sacrifices,
O true propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead,
O heavenly antidote, by which we are preserved from sin,
O stupendous miracle above all others,
O most holy commemoration of the passion of Christ
O gift transcending all abundance,
O extraordinary memorial of divine love,
O affluence of divine largesse,
O most holy and august mystery,
uncorrupted medicine, have mercy on us.
Awesome and life-giving Sacrament,
have mercy on us.

Bread, transformed into flesh by the omnipotence of the word,
bloodless sacrifice, meal and guest,
sweetest banquet,
whom the serving angels assist, have mercy on us.
Sacrament of piety, bonds of love,
offerer and offering, have mercy on us.